Day-to-Day as a Design Director

In this episode of Urban Forecast, co-hosts Oli Lowrie and Jon Ackroyd sit down with Michael Clark, Design Director at Hadley Property Group, to explore the evolving role of the architect, the realities of development in today’s market, and how community engagement can shape meaningful regeneration. Michael shares candid reflections from his journey across architecture, contracting, and development, revealing how trust, communication, and collaboration are central to delivering homes in one of the world’s toughest housing markets.

From the pressures of the Building Safety Act to the fine line between risk and reward in property development, this conversation gets to the heart of what it takes to build better, faster, and more responsibly in modern Britain.


KEY TAKEAWAYS

Architecture is a profession full of highs and lows, and many practitioners are moving sideways into development and construction for broader impact.

The housing delivery cycle has stretched dramatically, from five to over eight years, due to planning complexity and new regulatory gateways.

Developers face “three major financial hurdles”: Section 106, CIL, and affordable housing quotas, which together strain project viability.

Despite public mistrust, developers like Hadley are rebuilding confidence through genuine community engagement and collaboration with local authorities.

The Building Safety Act has improved risk management and design quality but has also delayed funding and construction start times.

Digital technology and 3D modelling have made design coordination more precise, though arguably more complicated, without necessarily improving quality.

Strong leadership and teamwork between architects, contractors, and clients are critical to delivering successful projects.

Hadley’s agility and focus on local needs make it stand out among London developers, with a model grounded in communication and trust.


 BEST MOMENTS

“You’re overtaxing the golden goose. London hasn’t got anything left to give.”

“Developers aren’t sitting on pots of gold. The reality is every developer is desperately trying to make money - but nobody will take that risk if the odds are stacked against them.”

“You can’t get too personally involved in design - it’s no longer your design, it’s everyone’s.”

“We spend time understanding what the community needs and build that into our designs. That’s how trust starts.”


VALUABLE RESOURCES

https://www.ackroydlowrie.com 


EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT

The Future of the City of London with Tom Sleigh

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wx6bNuRrMYE 

Labour’s Housing Delivery Crisis: Planning isn’t the Problem

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76CxlOboM5A 


ABOUT THE HOSTS

Jon Ackroyd and Oliver Lowrie, the visionary hosts of Urban Forecast, bring their expertise from leading their innovative practice, Ackroyd Lowrie. Known for pushing the boundaries in urban design, Jon and Oliver use their podcast to delve into the future of cities, sharing insights from their work on projects that emphasise sustainability, community, and transformative architecture. Through Urban Forecast, they engage listeners with discussions on how architecture and design shape urban living, aiming to inspire new ways of thinking about the spaces around us.


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